Interpretation of Isolated Hepatitis B Core Antibody

You answered:

D Persons with HIV and chronic HCV infection have the lowest prevalence of isolated anti-HBc because they generate enhanced levels of anti-HBs that remain elevated on a long-term basis.

This answer is incorrect. Persons with HIV and chronic HCV infection actually have a relatively higher prevalence of isolated anti-HBc. No evidence exists to suggest that patients with HIV and chronic HCV have enhanced or prolonged elevations in production of anti-HBs.

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A A finding of isolated anti-HBc may represent either acute or past infection with hepatitis B.
B The isolated anti-HBc test has a greater than 95% likelihood of representing a false positive result, and thus the patient should be considered negative for acute or prior HBV infection.
C A finding of isolated anti-HBc most likely represents a weak response to hepatitis B vaccine, and the patient probably just doesn't remember that he's been vaccinated.

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